Four: A Thirst For Payback

FIVE HOURS EARLIER 

Travis POV

I stood before the entrance of the station. My legs staggered as I stood still.

It's early... I know, but I've come to see the murderer of my girlfriend.

A cop friend informed me that they have caught him and put him behind bars.

It's a relief to see that the cops are doing their jobs.

My girlfriend Stephanie didn't get a second chance.

She died even before she was taken to the hospital.

I'd like to see the murderer rot in jail.

He's a lunatic for not navigating his road properly.

The previous night's incident transpired once more in my mind.

The pain of that moment gripped my spine, leaving me shattered.

It was 11:00pm. Stephanie and I were on our way to the supermarket.

 She was escorting me there for my nightshift, where I work as a security for the mall.

We stood by the walkway to bid ourselves goodbye as we always did.

I held her hand at that hour and confessed my love for her as I always did. Telling her that I couldn't wait to be home.

She giggled and patted me on the chest.

I reminded her my promise to marry her and how we're going to spend the rest of our lives exploring the world.

She told me how she believes every word I say and that I don't have to say it all time.

She was my world. My everything.

We were about to share a romantic kiss before a bright light seem to take the space.

Before I could recover from the shock of the blinding light and falling on the ground, the car ran Stephanie over.

"Stephanie--Stephanie!" I called as I couldn't feel her hands holding mine anymore.

Stephanie was on the floor, covered in her own blood and struggling to breathe.

"Shit!" The man behind the wheels exclaimed.

I caught a glimpse of in face by the help of the streetlight.

I could never forget it even in my sleep.

His eyes were as red as blood like a demon out to destroy. His gaze was sharp and unrepentant.

"What have you done?" I yelled at him banging on his glass.

He reversed the car and took off quickly..

"Fuck you!" I yelled and rushed to her.

"Stephanie--Stephanie! Please don't close your eyes on me" I pleaded with tears streaming down my cheeks.

Fortunately, the cops were just around the corner. They either witness what had happened or heard my voice screaming for help. They chased after the runner while few stopped to call an ambulance and to take my statement.

Stephanie died in my hands...how difficult it is to shake of the feeling of her warm body becoming cold and stiff.

"Mister, are you going in or what?" A cop lady inquired as I was standing by the way. She seem to have observed me for awhile and wondered if I had lost my step.

I looked at her with a mean and despiteful gaze, wiping my teary eyes. I walked inside afterward.

My footsteps, echoing with every step I took. I was heading to the sheriff's office.

I was expecting his call, but he didn't.

A cop friend of mine, informed me that the reckless driver was brought to this station.

I was just few steps to the sheriff's office, my attention was nowhere else but getting through the door.

I accidentally brushed someone on the shoulder. Unfortunately, there was no much time to apologize or look at who, the distance covered by my legs had already taken that space.

I turn and glanced at who it was and to my surprise----

I'd recognize that savage-looking eyes anyway. Leaves the savor of bitter lemon in one's mouth.

Before me was the sheriff's door. What should stop me from going in for a proper explanation as to why Stephanie's murderer is not in handcuffs nor in a cell where he was meant to be.

I banged the door opened and barged into his office.

"Excuse me---who are you?" He leaned forward from his chair, squinting to see if I was a threat or not.

Honestly, I had intentions to go choke him by the neck.

As I got closer, my eyes took a peak at his table and spotted the check worth a million.

Now, I got the answer to this scenario—bribe.

"How could you---you sly, how could you? Why!" I ranted, my veins showing every bit of anger I had in me.

"Watch your tongue, young man. I don't even know you!" The sheriff replied, while hiding the envelope.

"My girlfriend was ran over by the man standing outside your door currently. He doesn't seem like one who is in handcuffs but free. You let him go for murder." I said my voice barely below yelling.

"Oh! I see...well, the girl who got into an accident yesterday, seem to be on the way. The driver is not at fault. She wasn't on the pedestrian".

"What! We were both on the walkway. The driver was the one who escaped from the road and knocked her down!" I raised my voice.

"Well, you clearly don't have prove...so, we might as well just close this case and see it as an accident that it was".

"I saw him with my eyes. I'm the witness." I pressed on. "I also have few witnesses from the supermarket who watched from the large glass door.

"You have the wrong man."

"No, I know what I saw." I pressed on to convince him.

"Young man, what is it that you want? Money?" He asked.

"Justice!" I said boldly, giving him a fierce look of discontent.

"Alright sir, I'll tell you the truth." the sheriff said, scribbling something on the paper.

My guts tells me, he's about to defend the suspect again.

"Mr. Carlos had a failed brake which led to the malfunction of his car. He couldn't help it even though he tried".

I took a look at the name on his shirt 'Haywood'. There's no way he is going to help me, with the money he took from that guy.

Looks like I'd have to take matters into my own hands.

Revenge.

Vengeance must be served.

I won't let this case go down without a fight.

 Carlos. He'll pay for poor Stephanie's death.

I gave the sheriff one last daring look and promised him to make them pay, before leaving his office.

He didn't look threatened at all. That's because he believes I have accepted defeat.

"I won't let this matter go down to the drain. You need prove? I'll bring you prove" I muttered, allowing my voice to be heard.

I walked out of the sheriff's office and stumbled upon them again—father and son and bodyguard I guess.

I paced quickly, having the intention of confronting them with a threat.

"Sir!" I called---made a fist and was ready to give Carlos a punch, once he turned.

As he turned, he quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me forward. "This is my bodyguard." He announced.

What is going on? I ask myself.

I suddenly felt powerless at his touch, my lips failed me—I became dumbfounded.

I look at the man who should be his father, and I recognize him...

Jonathan Alvarez from 'Sterling Company ', one of the biggest in the city.

Rumors has it that he's dangerous too.

If I must exact revenge on his son, then I must watch out for him.

His father objected me from being his son's bodyguard, but I proved myself by confessing I had few skills.

He hands over to me a credit card and tells me what to do with it.

I have limited access to it. Because it expires every month and then I'll have to get a new one from him.

There were also strict rules in protecting his son. But what I don't understand was how he got my information so quickly?

Our eyes met in a long stare—Carlos and I.

Each of us having a taste of discontent for one another.

I wonder if he even remembers me.

Does he even remember his actions?

"You don't expect me to take you with me do you?" He turned to me.